(ABYEI) – Five people, including a school teacher, were killed and five others wounded in a cattle raid on Sunday near Abyei town, local authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the Abyei Administrative Area’s Minister of Information, Yohana Akol, the attack occurred at approximately 9:00 in the morning on 27 July 2025 in the Galar area, about 2 kilometres from the town centre. Armed individuals stormed a cattle camp, shooting and killing four men at the scene.
Following the initial assault, residents mobilised in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock. During this effort, a school teacher was fatally shot, raising the total death toll to five.
“In the attack, four people were killed. The local residents mobilised and followed the assailants and recovered the stolen cattle, but in the process, one teacher was killed,” Akol told local media.
In total, five individuals were wounded during the recovery effort. Despite the violence, the residents managed to retrieve around 500 heads of cattle.
Impact of Galar Cattle Raid
| Incident Details | Figures |
|---|---|
| People killed | 5 |
| People wounded | 5 |
| Cattle recovered | 500 heads |
| Location | Galar, Abyei Area |
| Date and time | 27 July 2025, 09:00 |
The involvement of civilians, including educators, in efforts to defend or recover property reflects the challenges faced by communities lacking adequate security presence. Cattle remain a vital economic and cultural asset in South Sudan, often valued in millions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP).
Security forces have not issued an official statement regarding the identity of the attackers or whether arrests have been made. Local officials have called for calm and urged government intervention to prevent further violence.
The Abyei Administrative Area, located along the contested border between Sudan and South Sudan, has frequently seen violence linked to cattle raids and political instability.